When voters go to the polls on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, they will not only be voting for president, governor and other local political positions but on six (6) separate proposals to change the Missouri State Constitution. These proposals cover a myriad of topics, including Sports Wagering, Abortion Rights, a new casino near Lake of the Ozarks, using court costs and fees to pay promised benefits to law enforcement personnel, allowing only U.S. Citizens to vote, and increasing the minimum wage.
The precise wording and “Fair Ballot Language” for each are in an article entitled “Voters to decide on six proposed Constitutional Amendments on November 5,” appearing in our “Election Guide” either this week or next week’s edition. In this column, in order of importance to him, the Ole Seagull will list each, with, for what it matters, his opinion on each:
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT NO. 3 (Abortion Rights)
Currently, Missouri Law relating to abortion states, “Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, no abortion shall be performed or induced upon a woman, except in cases of medical emergency.” It defines “Medical Emergency,” as “a condition which, based on reasonable medical judgment, so complicates the medical condition of a pregnant woman as to necessitate the immediate abortion of her pregnancy to avert the death of the pregnant woman or for which a delay will create a serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman.”
It is one of the most stringent abortion bans in the country and makes no exception for situations such as rape or incest. In an Ole Seagull’s opinion, the lack of an exception for rape and incest is unconscionable and, if it passes, will be the reason it does so.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT NO. 6 (Using Court Costs and fees to pay promised benefits to law enforcement personnel.)
Since 1983, part of the levies and fees paid in each court case were used to fund and support salaries and benefits for current and former sheriffs and law enforcement officials, including their retirement. A 2021 Missouri Supreme Court ruling found the fees unconstitutional. The Missouri General Assembly put Amendment 6 on the ballot to reverse that decision and allow the legislature to fund benefits for the state’s 114 elected county sheriffs or their surviving spouses by collecting a $3 fee per case, resulting in “guilty pleas or verdicts.”
These sheriffs and law enforcement personnel served the public faithfully with the promise of this funding for their retirement, and many, including retired 20-year Taney County Sheriff Jimmy Russell, rely on this funding for their retirement. There is no tax involved. The only source of funds comes from those involved with a “guilty plea or verdict” in a court proceeding.
To an Ole Seagull, this is a matter of honor. They lived up to their promise to “serve and protect,” now, it’s our turn to live up to our promise to provide the funds for their retirement.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT NO. 7 (Only U.S. Citizens can vote.)
A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to specify that only United States citizens are entitled to vote #1.
To an Ole Seagull, this is a no-brainer: “Non-citizens should not be entitled to vote.”
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT NO. 2 (Sports Wagering)
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT NO. 5 (New casino near Lake of the Ozarks)
It’s a constant source of amazement to an Ole Seagull that it’s legal to gamble “day trading” or buy and sell stock, gambling on whether they will appreciate or depreciate in value, but illegal to “gamble.” If an individual or community’s moral fiber is impacted by either of these measures, then it wasn’t much to start with in the first place.
PROPOSITION A (Increase minimum wage)
If passed, the minimum wage will increase to $13.75 per hour on January 1, 2025, increasing $1.25 per hour each year until 2026, when it will be $15.00 per hour. In addition, the amendment will require employers with fifteen or more employees to provide one hour of paid sick leave for every thirty hours worked. It will exempt governmental entities, political subdivisions, school districts and education institutions from the minimum wage increase.
Employers hire people, they don’t adopt them! Employers offer a position with remuneration consistent with their business needs and resources. Prospective employees are able to accept or reject that offer. It’s interesting to note that “governmental entities, political subdivisions, school districts and education institutions” are exempt from the amendment’s requirements.
#1 In this proposal, as in most, there is usually more than the publicized issue involved, and the ballot language must be read carefully.
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